Propose a Special Issue
Lead a focused collection advancing marine science research in your specialty.
Chart New Waters
IMSJ welcomes proposals from marine scientists interested in guest editing special issues on emerging or significant topics. Special issues provide platforms for comprehensive coverage of important research themes.
Successful special issue proposals address timely, relevant topics within marine science that would benefit from focused treatment. Ideal proposals demonstrate potential for attracting high-quality submissions from the research community.
Topic Relevance
Theme should address current or emerging questions in oceanography, marine biology, coastal science, or related fields.
Research Community
Topic should appeal to a substantial community of marine researchers capable of contributing quality manuscripts.
Guest Editor Expertise
Proposers should have recognized expertise and active research programs in the proposed theme area.
Include in Your Proposal: Proposed title, topic description and rationale, guest editor CVs, preliminary article list (if available), expected submission count, and proposed timeline.
- Recruit authors and solicit manuscripts within the theme scope
- Coordinate peer review and editorial decisions with IMSJ editorial office
- Write an introductory editorial summarizing the special issue contributions
- Maintain timeline adherence for submission and publication milestones
Submit proposals via email to [email protected] with subject line "IMSJ Special Issue Proposal." The editorial team reviews proposals and responds within 4-6 weeks with feedback or approval.
Special issues typically span 6-12 months from proposal approval to final publication. Guest editors should plan for manuscript solicitation, submission deadlines, review periods, and revision cycles. We recommend building buffer time for unexpected delays in author responses or reviewer availability.
IMSJ provides promotional support for approved special issues, including website announcements, social media promotion, and targeted outreach to relevant research communities. Guest editors are encouraged to leverage their professional networks to attract high-quality submissions.
All special issue manuscripts undergo the same rigorous peer review as regular submissions. Guest editors may not handle their own manuscripts or those from close collaborators. The IMSJ editorial office maintains oversight to ensure consistent quality standards across all published content.
Special issues often benefit from co-editor teams combining complementary expertise. When proposing co-edited volumes, include CVs for all proposed editors and clarify role divisions. Diverse editorial teams spanning institutions, countries, or subdisciplines strengthen special issue appeal and manuscript recruitment. We particularly encourage proposals incorporating early-career researchers as co-editors for mentorship opportunities.
Proposals are evaluated based on topic timeliness, potential author pool, guest editor qualifications, and alignment with IMSJ scope. Strong proposals demonstrate awareness of the research landscape and realistic plans for attracting high-quality submissions within proposed timeframes.
Submit Your Proposal
Lead the conversation on your marine science specialty.
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